Frigate United States Sept 22: 1797 — Esteemed friend I promised you to write, and state to you the particulars relative to our situation &c but [undecipherable] times & the fatigue of body and mind, will not at present permit me, a future period must suffice — I was extremely happy to learn by M^r Mullowny, and D^r Bullas, that you had anticipated my situation, and mentioned a number of [undecipherable] to the [underline: Secretary of War], at the same time contradicting those vicious reports, which have been in circulation — I was much pleased with appearances on board the day I had the pleasure of seeing [undecipherable] but they were now changed — Almost one [undecipherable] of the men on board have been since attacked, two of the ordinary seamen this days — M^r Meade is on the recovery [undecipherable] I received his pulses, and the fever abated on the morning of the second day, by his loosing fifty ounces of blood the first day, and taking near two hundred grains of mercury, which on the second day produced a [undecipherable] of the gums, and spitting, which soon over powered the [undecipherable]. — The other sick are all in a convalescent state, recovering except the two men taken this days, and they appear much better for what has been done for them, in fact I feel by no means afraid of loosing a man [undecipherable] them early and immediately notice of his attack, and have all the necessary at hand his situation may require, and my directions implicitly adhered to; accidents [undecipherable: excepted?] — my friends 54 and are good people when I am fatigued and vexed &c let me hear from you particularly if the Secretary should mention any thing relative to D^r Bullas, who has gone in to Jersey, and will return in two or three days. I would say more but I am called away upon the in accuracy of the [undecipherable] — as I have not time to read it over — Still I must say something to [undecipherable: Wagnen?], tell him to keep a good [undecipherable], I should be [undecipherable] to see him, but [undecipherable] dis[undecipherable] with that [undecipherable], untile his fears and apprehensions are dissipated, by a return of health to our unfortunate [undecipherable: City?], when once a chearful bottle we will bring to mind the various contents in the friends we have had — respects to M^r Simmons the ladies &c — I am with affectionate and cordial esteem Your friend [undecipherable: Tho. Truxtun?] [signature] William Simmons Esq^r [Endorsement, upper left: [undecipherable: Billinkins?] 1797 / Geo. [undecipherable] 1797 [undecipherable] — / frigate United States / [undecipherable] U.S. frigate 22. Sept — / recd — 23. Le[?] / [undecipherable] Secy, 2 H.S. Day, 179[undecipherable] / [undecipherable] W. G. diary 1798–1801] [Address panel: William Simmons Esq^r / War department / [undecipherable] / [undecipherable: Philadelphia?] [undecipherable]]